The sights and sounds of long dragon boats slicing through the water of Badger Lake will return this weekend.

This will be the 26th anniversary of the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash. It will be a two-day event on Friday and Saturday featuring a concert by Band K, fireworks and lots of racing action as the dragon boats zoom across the lake propelled by teams of 20 paddlers.

In addition to local teams, others are expected from Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

A silent auction to benefit the Cancer Center at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Regional Medical Center will begin Friday and conclude Saturday.

With all that set to go, just one more thing is needed to make the event a huge success: volunteers.

Volunteers are especially needed to manage the parking area and run the concession stands. But we’re sure that event organizers won’t say no to anyone who volunteers to help with other aspects of the Dragon Boat Bash.

Volunteering for this event will put people in the heart of the action. It will also make them part of the team which puts on a successful national event right here in Webster County.

No volunteer will have to be present for every minute of the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash. Volunteers will be able to pick what shifts they want to work.

Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact Linda Donner (515) 571-9642.

With all the various volunteer openings, there is a way for pretty much everybody to contribute. We urge people to get involved with this fun event.